Degradable “click” polyesters from erythritol having free hydroxyl groups

AA-BB type polyesters were obtained by click Cu(I)-catalysed polymerization and thermal polyaddition of the sugar-based monomer 1,4-diazido-1,4-dideoxyerythritol to diynes having ester linkages. The polymers were mainly amorphous and stable up to 250 °C. Polyesters were hygroscopic and those derived from PEG were water-soluble. The hydrolytic degradation occurs by breaking of the ester linkages, and it takes place more quickly at pH 7.4 than at pH 5.0.